Shrubs

Shrubs form the framework of any border as well as attracting birds and insects. Some plants, including the beautiful butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), prove irresistible to butterflies. Birds, on the other hand, particularly appreciate dense, berried shrubs like the snowberry (Symphoricarpos doorenbosii).

When choosing shrubs, cast your mind forward at least ten years, when the shrubs have grown to their maximum height and spread. Think about a color scheme, not forgetting the shrub's flowering season and any others near it. Also check preferences for shade or sunshine, soil, and acidity tolerance.

Shrubs can be bought bare-rooted or container-grown. Container-grown plants tend to be smaller and more expensive, but can be planted at any time of the year instead of having to wait for the dormant season. However, a container-grown plant is more likely to suffer from the root ball drying out, so it is still safer to wait until autumn. Check all shrubs for signs of pests or disease and make sure they have healthy root systems.

Planting shrubs

Dig a hole large enough for the roots or root ball. Mix the dug-out soil with a bucketful of organic matter such as peat. Water the plant well and cut away the plastic container.

Plant at the level of the old soil mark on the stem. Sprinkle a little fine soil over the roots. Refill the hole and firm the soil, mulching with some organic matter. In an exposed spot protect shrubs with a windbreak.

Maintaining shrubs

If possible, mulch shrubs annually with well-rotted compost or manure. If not, dress the border with all-purpose organic fertilizer in early spring, and with seaweed meal every three years.

Always pay particular attention to watering, especially the first year while the shrubs are becoming established (particularly important with container-grown plants).

For many shrubs pruning should be carried out regularly. All shrubs can be shaped and, to some extent, kept smaller by regular cutting back, and many, such as forsythia, are pruned annually to produce flowering stems. Trim heaths (Erica sp.) and lavender (Lavendula sp.) after flowering to keep them compact. Plants like broom (Cytisus hybrids) are pruned after flowering to prevent them producing seed. Some shrubs like the butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) flower late in the summer on wood made the same season. In early spring cut back hard ail previous year's shoots.

It is an advantage to remove the dead flower heads from many shrubs to increase the flower yield the following year (called deadheading). Plants like the heaths can be trimmed with shears immediately after flowering. Other shrubs like rhododendrons have to be deadheaded by hand.

Winter frosts can lift autumn-planted shrubs out of the ground again, so check at regular intervals and, if necessary, tread them back in.

Pests like aphids and diseases such as leaf spot attack a wide variety of shrubs, so check and treat plants regularly.